Buoyage and environmental monitoring instrument for use on regatta courses, comprising an inflatable pneumatic platform and a modular mast which can be folded and transported in a reduced-size compact packing container

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to an instrument for marking and environmental monitoring in regatta courses. Incorporated by inflatable pneumatic platform and modular mast, foldable and transportable in compact packing of reduced size. It is intended to simultaneously define the area of conducting such nautical trials, at the same time as the environmental conditions thereof are characterized, in both meteorological and oceanographic terms. The system comprises an inflatable pneumatic float ( 1 ) and a support structure—mast—( 2 ), which serves to hold the meteorological ( 3 ) and oceanographic ( 6 ) instrumentation, as well as the group of elements intended for communications ( 4 ), electromechanical components ( 5 ) and anchorage system ( 7 ). The marked modular level and reduced weight thereof, allow handling from craft of reduced cargo-carrying capacity without the help of additional infrastructures, which has a close relationship with the degree of variability in the regatta courses when competitions are under way.

SECTOR OF THE ART

The present invention is framed in a parallel fashion within twotechnical sectors of the marine environment: on one hand, the marinebuoys or marks employed in regatta courses of competitive sailing, andon the other, the monitoring of environmental parameters in real timewith direct application, in this case, and without intending to berestrictive in the scope thereof, to the sport of competitive sailing.

STATE OF THE ART

The advances in technology that our society experiences on a dailybasis, are reflected particularly in the sport sector. This occurrencemeans that the practice of most sports is benefiting from themultidisciplinary nature of technology found on the market at thepresent time. Within this section, competitive sailing is in no way anexception.

All the disciplines in competitive sailing are undertaken in a similargeographical framework, under determined environmental conditions. Thatis, all have the need of a buoyed regatta course, the dimensions ofwhich have to be in agreement with the discipline or modality pursuedand, also, there is a need to know in the fullest measure possible theenvironmental parameters that condition these sporting events (mainly,wind direction and strength and surface current of the sea).

The delimitation or marking of these regatta courses, has to be carriedout with floating platforms or buoys, of certain constructionalcharacteristics (material, color, dimensions, location regarding thebottom, etc.), although there is no specific legislation existing atpresent to such effect. It is only necessary to take into account thegeneric legislation as regards anchorage restrictions in certain areas(the environs of harbor areas, areas with heavy marine traffic, navalmaneuvers, marine reserves, etc.), generic regulations on marinesignaling as well as the particular opinion of the marine master of thearea in question.

To date, the document considered pertinent is U.S. Pat. No. 3,828,380which discloses a floating instrument for the study of oceanicenvironmental conditions. It has an elongated spar (like the presentinvention), but said spar is thicker and heavier in the bottom part,besides having a platform on the upper part where the antenna islocated. In our case, the spar is also foldable, but unlike the former,it maintains the same diameter over all its length. The most importantdifference between the two lies in the means of flotation for the spar.In the document U.S. Pat. No. 3,828,380 the means of floatation isannular and is secured to the spar by means of some flexible wires andover the center of gravity of the same. This signifies that the spar hasfreedom of movement within some limits, moving above and below the meansof floatation. In our case, the float is attached to the spar, reducingthe movement of the antenna due to currents and waves, and therebyavoiding in a greater measure that this can be drenched.

It is also worthwhile to mention the document U.S. Pat. No. 5,132,699which discloses a system for transmitting the oceanic environmentalconditions by radiofrequency. Here also it differs in the form of thespar, because although it is true that both have the means ofcommunication therein, the latter is conical in shape, the upper partsbeing inserted in the lower. Also, this spar is made of an electricalconductor. The operation of this device is much more complicated,because it needs a pressurized gas for the inflation of the floatationelement and for the deployment of the spar. On the other hand, in thepresent invention an energy source can be used of an ecological oralternative nature for feeding the batteries and/or accumulators.

The present invention seeks to integrate the marking and delimitation ofthe course with the continuous monitoring in real time of theenvironmental parameters of interest and conditions for the optimumdevelopment of competitions in any one of the presently existing sailingclasses.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to an instrument incorporated by aninflatable pneumatic platform and modular mast, foldable andtransportable in a compact package of reduced size and easy to handle,intended for the marking and monitoring of environmental parameters inreal time of regatta courses in competitive sailing. It is soughtsimultaneously to define the area of undertaking such nautical trials,at the same time as their environmental conditions are characterized, inreal time and in continuous mode, in meteorological and oceanographicterms.

Attention is specially drawn to the highly modular character and thereduced weight of the system as a whole, which simplifies thetransportation thereof using a compact packing system (for example,suitcase type) of reduced size.

This simplicity in its handling extends to the mounting and emplacementof the instrument in the marine environment, it being possible in thiscase, to carry out quickly a modification in the delimitation of theregatta course.

This aspect is of great importance, due to the high degree ofvariability that these areas suffer during the undertaking of the trialsas a consequence of a sudden variation in environmental conditions(mainly those referring to the wind).

The system comprises two differentiated units. Namely, an inflatablepneumatic float (1) and a support structure—mast—(2), the latter servingto hold the meteorological (3) and oceanographic (6) instrumentation, aswell as the group of elements intended for communications (4),electromechanical components (6), and securing system (7) to theanchoring train.

The floatation element (1), manufactured in pneumatic or plasticmaterial, has the particular characteristic of being inflatable ordeflatable as required. Its basic functions are to: give the necessarybuoyancy to the system as a whole and moreover, allow the extremitiesthat define the designated area to be viewed. This floatation element(1), the physical characteristics of which are defined by the standardsthat regulate the type of sport activity in question (size, heat, etc.),is located approximately in the center of the longitudinal plane of thesystem as a whole. The reason for said location responds to the needsimposed by the same regarding equilibrium and buoyancy.

The floatation element (1) is crossed lengthwise in the planeperpendicular to that formed between this and the surface of the sea, bya support structure—mast—(2) which serves to hold the meteorological (3)and oceanographic (6) instrumentation as well as the group of elementsintended for communications (4) and other electromechanical components(5).

The dimensions of the support structure—mast—(2) are variable, dependingupon the type of measurement instrumentation to be mounted thereon. Itis constituted by several pieces, each one of which is intended to holda certain element or electronic component, thereby offering a higherdegree of modularity and simplicity for both the assembly and thetransportation. As for the arrangement of elements on this mast, on theemerged extremity thereof, will be the meteorological instrumentation(3), the oceanographic instrumentation (6) being located either in thevicinity of its submerged extremity or in the lower part of thefloatation element (1).

The nature both of the meteorological (3) and the oceanographic (6)instrumentation is variable, although in whatever case, it responds atall times to the international standards proposed by the competentorganizations, as regards environmental monitoring.

The communications system (4) is housed along the inside of the supportstructure—mast—(2), with the exception of the antenna element, whichshares the emplacement of the meteorological instrumentation (3). Thecommunication system between the measurement platform and land isimplemented through a radiofrequency transmitter device and/or atransmitter device via satellite.

The power supply source that this measurement and marking systemincorporates, is constituted by batteries and/or accumulators, whichhave the additional option of being fed through an alternative andecological energy source, such as photovoltaic cells and/or windturbines.

All the devices or elements that comprise the system, have a level ofwatertightness corresponding to IP68, which guarantees protection ingreater measure from the adverse environmental conditions habituallyencountered in maritime surroundings.

Given the modular character the system offers, the adaptation is madepossible for other devices in the event of this being necessary, such asof night and day signaling elements, complying in this way with theregulations in force regarding marine signaling.

DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 corresponds to a view of the invention in elevation, alongitudinal section being observed of the same.

In said FIG. 1 it is possible to observe the entirety of the elementsthat form the Instrument, namely, the floatation element (1), which iscrossed lengthwise in the vertical plane, by a supportstructure—mast—(2) which serves to hold the meteorological (3) andoceanographic (6) Instrumentation, as well as the group of elementsdedicated to communications (4) and other electromechanical components(5).

In turn, FIG. 1 shows the segmentation or modularity of the supportstructure—mast—(2) and of the floatation element (1). The upper andlower module of the support structure—mast—(2) have an accessory elementfor protection, which increases the safety of the meteorological (3) andoceanographic (4) Instrumentation during the transportation of theinstrument as a whole by means of the aforementioned packing system.

In the same FIG. 1 it is possible to observe the presence of a securingelement (7), located at the lower end of the mast (2), intended forsecuring the instrument to the pertinent anchor train.

FIG. 2 corresponds to a view of the invention in elevation, according toclaim 10, easily mounted protective elements being observed on both endsof the support structure—mast—(2), intended, preferably, for thetransport of the Instrument.

MODE OF EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is explained by means of the following embodiment,although this is not intended to restrict the scope thereof.

In the light of the elements already described that form the presentinvention, a method of assembling and operating the same as a wholecould be described in the following manner:

In the first place, it is necessary to consider the support structuremast (2) divided into several modules (variable in number, although 4are considered to illustrate this example), which, for a betterunderstanding, will be termed: high module—it contains themeteorological instrumentation (3) and communications antenna (4),—intermediate module—communications systems (4) and electromechanicalcomponents (5), flotation module—floatation element (1) andelectromechanical components (5)—and interior module for oceanographicinstrumentation (6) and electromechanical components all of themmatching each other in a certain sequence.

The starting point taken will be the flotation module, on which theassembly of the remaining modules will be carried out, so that theincorporation of these is as simple as possible for the user.

For this reason, the following module to assemble has to be theflotation module. Having connected the oceanographic instrumentation tothe central processing device of the system and closed the connectionbetween both modules. The assembling continues with the high module,which has to be fitted to the intermediate module through the upper endof the latter. With this, it is managed to connect the group ofmeteorological sensors and communication devices (antenna) to theflotation module, where habitually the electronic devices are housedintended for the management and optimum operation of the system as awhole. To conclude, within this section, will be the Intermediate modulethat will be assembled to the flotation module to leave the systemcompletely mounted.

Having assembled the four modules described, the platform will beconveyed to the definitive anchorage. At this point, the inflation ofthe floatation element will take place, in the event of this not havingbeen performed before embarking the platform in the vessel employed forits transfer to the selected anchorage point. In both cases, an externalsource of pressurized air will be required for inflating the floatationelement.

Finally, the platform will be secured to the selected anchorage train bymeans of a fastening system (7) located at the lower end of the mast,being mounted in the corresponding position thereof.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICATION

The present invention relates to an Instrument with application both inthe sport of sailing and in the monitoring in real time of environmentalparameters in the marine environment.

To such an end, a number of examples of industrial applications areillustrated, which do not intend to be restrictive in the scope thereof.

Thus, the relevance is specified that the invention signifies in thesporting sector of competitive sailing, in the full gamut of categoriestherein, allowing the continuous knowledge of the conditions in realtime that regulate the regatta courses, at the same time as it definesthe area designated for the holding of such events.

In parallel, the competent Institutions and organizations in thismatter, could take the present invention into consideration, as anindispensable element by way of Infrastructure necessary for carryingout the holding of these sporting events in optimum conditions. Thus, weunderstand that given the number of Institutions and organizations inthis environment, as well as the continuous upsurge that the sport ofsailing is experiencing worldwide, the present invention offers animportant line of industrial application.

1. Instrument for marking and monitoring of environmental parameterswith foldable mast of several modules perpendicular to the surface ofthe ocean, with a communications device with a radiofrequencytransmitter and/or a transmitter via satellite, also holding thedifferent measurement and communication devices, and inflatablepneumatic-plastic platform, of variable dimensions, both foldable andtransportable in compact packing of reduced size characterized in thatsaid mast is perpendicular to the surface of the ocean, has the samethickness over all the deployed length thereof, and in that saidpneumatic platform is attached to the mast approximately in the centerof the length thereof.
 2. The instrument of claim 1, characterized inthat it incorporates meteorological and oceanographic instrumentation,as well as the group of devices intended for communications and otherelectromechanical components required, such as a stand-alone powersupply system.
 3. The instrument of claim 1, characterized in that itincorporates in the mast support structure a power supply system throughbatteries and/or accumulators, the energy frequency of which is of analternative and ecological nature (photovoltaic cells and/or windturbine).
 4. The instrument of claim 1, characterized in that itincorporates on the upper and lower extremities of the mast structuresupport (2) an easily mounted protective system for the meteorological(3) and oceanographic (6) instrumentation, usable during the transportthereof.
 5. The instrument of claim 1, characterized in that it definesthe area of conducting nautical trials, at the same time as theenvironmental conditions thereof are characterized in real time and incontinuous mode, in both meteorological and oceanographic terms.